Holiday celebrations abound in Holmes and Washington

Here is a rolling list of holiday happenings taking place in Holmes and Washington Counties this year.

T-Shirts for Turkeys
Community South Credit Union and The JOY FM will be collecting donations of frozen turkeys, monetary donations and gift cards to provide holiday meals for the homeless and those with food insecurity. All proceeds will benefit the Holmes County Council on Aging. Donations may be dropped off at the bank located at 1720 S. Waukesha St. in Bonifay on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon.

HCHS Christmas Festival
The Holmes County High School Christmas Festival will be held Thursday, Dec. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the HCHS Student Center. Vendors who wish to participate may contact Sierra Smith by emailing [email protected]. The public vendor fee is $40 and student vendors will pay $20. The event is sponsored by the PTO.

DMH’s “A Country Christmas”
Doctors Memorial Hospital will present “A Country Christmas” at its 2nd Annual Tree of Love Lighting and Christmas Concert on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. There will be free hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn served on the hospital lawn during entertainment by local performers. Participants may purchase an ornament in memory of a loved one for the Tree of Love lighting ceremony by contacting a DMH Foundation board member or calling 850-547-8003. Seating will be limited. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Chipley Christmas Fest
The Chipley Christmas Fest will be held Friday, Dec. 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Downtown Chipley.
Friday: Friday night will be full of family-friendly activities. A lighted downtown parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Free Santa photos with the kids will begin at 7 p.m. The Downtown Merchants Holiday Stroll will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Shoppers are invited to visit local shops and restaurants for special goodies, gift certificates and discounted gifts. There will be free carriage rides sponsored by Tobacco Free Florida. Free children’s activities and games will go on at the Farmer’s Market Complex with arts and crafts, games, inflatables and petting zoo. Pony rides and mechanical bull rides will be available for a fee. Free photos with Santa will go on at the Gazebo.
Saturday: Saturday will feature a Christmas Marketplace with local arts and craft vendors offering great gift ideas for the holidays. Skate for free on an artificial ice skating rink sponsored by Chipley Physical & Aquatic Therapy, Community South Credit Union and Rogers Insurance & Auto-Owners Insurance. There will also be free inflatables, arts and crafts and a snow treasure hunt for the kids.

PDL Ornament Decoration
Ponce de Leon Volunteer Fire and Rescue is hosting its annual Christmas ornament decoration for kids on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.

Story Book Christmas at HCPL
Holmes County Public Library will present Story Book Christmas from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Winter Wonderland activities will include photos inside of a giant snow globe, games, prizes, fun with snowflakes, snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn and more.

Wausau 2nd Annual Light Up the Square
Wausau Community Development Club presents the 2nd Annual Light Up the Square & Craft Event in Wausau on Saturday, Dec. 3 from noon until 5:30 p.m. Spend the day and shop with local craft vendors in the middle of Downtown Wausau. The Christmas Parade begins at 1 p.m. A tree lighting ceremony will be at 5 p.m.

Holmes County Chamber Jingle Mingle
The Holmes County Chamber of Commerce will host its 2nd Annual Jingle Mingle on Monday, Dec. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 106 E. Byrd Ave. in Bonifay. All business leaders are invited to attend for networking, holiday refreshments and door prizes. The event is sponsored by Green Pen Promotions.

HCHS Drama Christmas Celebration
Holmes County High School Drama will present “We Need a Little Christmas” celebration Monday, Dec. 12 and Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. both nights in the HCHS Auditorium. All are invited to celebrate the joy of the season with traditional Christmas songs and updated arrangements of favorite classics. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door only. For more information, call 850-547-9000.

Bonifay Christmas in the Park
Christmas in the Park with Santa will be held Sunday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. at Veterans Park next to Memorial Field in Bonifay. Come enjoy this family event with free hot chocolate, hotdogs and other refreshments and free photos with Santa. The event is hosted by Bonifay Fire-Rescue, Bonifay First United Methodist Church and Bonifay First Baptist Church.

“A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol”
“A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol” takes the Spanish Trail Playhouse stage Dec/ 8, 9, & 10 at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20/adults, $17/seniors 65+ & Military (with ID), $15/students (12-17 years), and $13/children (5-11 years). Children 5 and under are not permitted. Tickets may be purchased online at www.spanishtrailplayhouse.com or by phone Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon by calling 850-638-9113. The Spanish Trail Playhouse is located at 680 2nd St. in Chipley.

Vernon Christmas Parade
The City of Vernon is hosting its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 10. The parade will roll at noon.

Pittman Cookies with Santa and Christmas Parade
Pittman Volunteer Fire Department is hosting Cookies with Santa and the annual Christmas parade on Friday, Dec. 16 starting at 6 p.m. Santa will arrive on a fire engine during the parade.

This list of holiday events will be updated weekly and will run through the New Year. Email your event information to Editor Jennifer Rich at [email protected].